Shoaib Malik credits wife Sania Mirza for comeback ton

Karachi: Hitting a patient century on his Test comeback, former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik yesterday credited his wife Sania Mirza for his success in international cricket since his recall to the national side this year. Making his first Test appearance since August 2010, Malik remained unbeaten on 124 at the end of the opening day's play in the first match against England in Abu Dhabi.

The all-rounder said he had learnt a lot from his tennis star wife. "Sania has proved to be a inspiration for me in many ways even as a sportsman. After watching her win titles even after battling with fitness issues I was also inspired to match her feats as a professional sportsman,"

'Healthy competition'Malik added: "It is a healthy competition between husband and wife who are professional athletes. I credit my wife for my change in approach to training and my recent success and new international career," he said.

He added: "I think there was pressure on me to also perform as a professional sportsman after Sania's outstanding success in recent times," Malik told a channel. "We speak to each other every day and now I have become used to congratulating her on her titles and she on my success," Malik said.